Something in the way Rosie said the words had Sarah’s gaze dropping to her hand.

“Rosie!” she exclaimed as she took in the glittering diamond. “You said yes.”

Rosie lifted her chin and fluffed her bright blue hair. “Couldn’t break Lou’s heart on Christmas, now could I?”

Once they were all back downstairs, Ruby went to give Charlie the grand tour, while the others asked what they could do to help. Sarah assigned each one a room, putting her father, Maybelle, Claudia, and her husband in the kitchen to make sure guests got cookies and drinks as needed.

She stationed Rosie in the living area. When they returned, she put Ruby and Charlie in charge of the downstairs suites.

“Y’all just make sure y’all behave,” Sarah told them, getting a giggle from Ruby as she and Charlie exchanged looks.

Oh, to have that kind of love. The kind where you loved and were loved in return and never doubted each other’s affections.

Bringing a tray of sandwiches with him as a housewarming gift, Lou was the first visitor to arrive and got a round of congrats from everyone. Carrie and her family were right behind him. Within minutes, the house had a steady stream of visitors.

None stayed long, they all just toured the home, sampled some of the goodies, promised to rave about the place to any friends or relatives, then they gave their best wishes and left as others arrived.

The magazine journalist showed, snapped hundreds of photos, asked about that many questions, and told Sarah he’d shoot her an email when the article went live on their website.

A dozen or so guests were still there when the two-hour open house ended. One by one, Sarah saw them off.

After they were all gone, Ruby gave her a big hug. “Sorry Charlie and I can’t stay longer. Our grands are coming over tonight for board games.”

Claudia glanced at her watch. “Oh, we’ve got to be heading out, too. The hubs here has a surprise gift for me that wasn’t under the tree this morning. I get to open it when we get back.”

“If he’s smart, it’s a trip to anywhere but here,” Rosie mused.

Sarah caught Maybelle and Claudia’s husband exchanging a look, saw the glimmer of amusement in Maybelle’s eyes, and knew the woman knew exactly what Claudia’s husband had planned.

Not only that, but she’d played a role in it coming about. God love her.

Maybelle and Sarah’s father stayed a few minutes longer, then both claimed they had to leave as well.

From the front porch, Sarah watched them drive away.

The open house had been a big success. The local paper and the magazine were both doing features. Dozens had attended.

She should be ecstatic.

Instead, she was haunted by thoughts of that one person who should have been there but wasn’t.